Jefferson Avenue Reconstruction Work to Start Monday

The reconstruction of the downtown portion of Jefferson Avenue is scheduled to begin on Monday.

City Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman told the Effingham City Council Tuesday evening that the block from Banker to 5th Street will be the first to be addressed. Heuerman said the block will be completely closed. He said motorists will be routed around the closed block.

The Council witnessed the presentation by City Police Chief Jason McFarland of two Citizen Service Citations. 

(POLICE CHIEF JASON McFARLAND AND BRIANNA WENDTE)

Brianna Wendte was recognized for her efforts to assist a motorist and wait with the motorist until help arrived. Trey Winterrowd was recognized for being a good neighbor. Winterrowd saw someone enter the home of his neighbor and notified authorities. City police responded and apprehended the suspect still in the neighbor's house. McFarland said the suspect is believed to have also entered other homes of elderly residents and taking smaller items. The hope of the suspect is that the citizens would think they were confused over whether something was missing and not report anything gone. That would enable the suspect to enter the house for other items on subsequent occasions. Bernice Dasenbrock, the daughter of the resident, was on hand for the presentation. Winterrowd was not able to attend.

(CHIEF McFARLAND AND BERNICE DASENBROCK)

The Council granted $50,000 to Arts Connection of Central Illinois for requested improvements to the Effingham Performance Center; removed Dairy Queen from the South Central Industrial TIF District since city council commissioner Hank Stephens is a part-owner of the business; extended the life of the Downtown/Southtown Business Area Redevelopment Program for another year and allocated $100,000 to fund the program designed to help with exterior renovations of qualifying businesses; accepted a proposal from Civil Design for GIS database and online mapping portal services; approved an extension of time for Fieldcrest Development to complete improvements to their business downtown; and approved a plat of Gobczynski Subdivision on West Fayette. 

Council members agreed to close a portion of a street downtown for the Annual Milking Contest that last year featured local mayors and this year will feature county board members; approved Patty McHugh to fulfill recently-appointed John McHugh's term on the Tourism Advisory Board; reappointed Clara Koester to the Human Relations Board and named City Administrator Steve Miller to replace former Administrator Jim Arndt on the board; and approved the purchase of a city K9 to bring the City back up to its full complement of dogs. McFarland explained that the new dog will not be trained to detect cannabis due to changes in state law regarding the substance. City Officer Jake Lustig will be the new K9 handler.

The Council discussed potential changes in the P-1 liquor store and limited consumption sales liquor license. The changes would reflect that not more than 15% of total sales at a license holder would be generated by liquor tasting. Council members were also introduced to Jennifer and Ron Niebrugge, the daughter and son-in-law of Jerry and Shirley Moon, who are taking over operation of DJ's Party Supply on South Banker from the Moons. 

City Treasurer Caitlin Phillips presented the quarterly fiscal report that indicated all funds are in the black with one exception. The Tax Increment Financing fund is in the hole, but Phillips said that is not unusual and is actually in better shape than this time last year.

Fire Chief Bob Tutko suggested citizens "should leave the fireworks to the professionals" this 4th of July.